Detroit Lions will make title push against 4 opponents that suddenly don't seem so bad

ALLEN PARK -- Remember when the Detroit Lions finished the first half of the season 5-3, but had the NFL's easiest remaining schedule to look forward to?

Toss that out the window.

Calvin Johnson skies for the pylon during a game last season in Philadelphia. The Lions will return to Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday to facing the suddenly surging Eagles.AP File Photo

Philadelphia, Baltimore, Minnesota and the New York Giants all have rebounded after dreadful starts. They went a combined 5-15 in their first five games, but are 13-6-1 in their last five games.

Detroit kicks off its final quarter of the season Sunday against an Eagles team that has won four in a row after adjusting to first-year coach Chip Kelly's unique offensive system. They've looked near-indomitable since going with Nick Foles as their primary quarterback.

And effective quarterbacks have given the Lions fits this season. They're 26th against the pass.

Here's a quick snapshot of the four opponents the Lions will face as they make a push for their first division title in 20 years:

at Philadelphia Eagles (Sunday) Record: 7-5Best win: 24-21 last week against Arizona. The victory snapped the Cardinals' four-game winning streak.Worst loss: 15-7 against the Giants on Oct. 27. It was just New York's second win of the season.Last five: 4-1Common opponents: Lost 33-27 at Washington on Sept. 9; won 31-20 at Tampa Bay on Oct. 13; won 27-13 at Green Bay on Nov. 10; won 24-16 against Washington on Nov. 17; won 24-21 against Arizona on Dec. 1. Record: 4-1. (Detroit was 2-3.)Stat that matters: Philadelphia is 6-1 when Nick Foles takes most of the QB snaps, but 1-4 when it was Michael Vick or Matt Barkley in that role.The skinny: Philadelphia kicked off the Chip Kelly era in sluggish fashion, going 1-4 in the first five games and 3-5 in the first half of the season. But the Eagles have resurrected their season since turning to Foles, winning each of the past four games, two of which were against teams that beat Detroit (Green Bay and Arizona). Foles has 19 touchdown passes and no picks this season, and could be a threat to dismantle the Lions' woeful secondary.

Baltimore Ravens (Dec. 16)Record: 6-6Best win: Handed Cincinnati one of its four losses in a 20-17 overtime thriller Nov. 10.Worst loss: Lost 23-20 against Buffalo on Sept. 29, the Bills' only victory in a calendar month.Last five: 3-2Common opponents: Won 14-6 against Cleveland on Sept. 15; lost 19-17 against Green Bay on Oct. 13; lost 19-16 at Pittsburgh on Oct. 20; lost 24-18 at Cleveland on Nov. 3; won 20-17 (OT) against Cincinnati on Nov. 10; lost 23-20 (OT) at Chicago on Nov. 17. Record: 2-4. (Detroit was 4-3.)Stat that matters: The Ravens are 5-1 at home this season, but just 1-5 on the road. The problem seems to be the defense, which allows an extra two touchdowns per game away from Baltimore.The skinny: Baltimore, like Philadelphia, has rebounded after a sloppy start. The Ravens were 3-5 in the first half of the season, but are 3-1 since -- although that lone loss came against Chicago, a team which Detroit has twice beaten. Their defense has been pretty good, ranking 12th against the pass and sixth against the run. But will its offense be able to score against Detroit? The Lions are outstanding against the run, which leaves their pass defense as their Achilles' heel -- but Baltimore is averaging just 227.9 passing yards per game, 19th in the NFL, and Joe Flacco has been inconsistent since receiving a monster deal in the offseason. Factor in that this game will be played on Monday night at Ford Field, where decibel levels should skyrocket, and this would seem like a good matchup for Detroit despite the Ravens' resurgence.

New York Giants (Dec. 22)Record: 5-7Best win: Became last team to beat Philadelphia with a 15-7 win Oct. 27, slowing the Eagles' soaring offense.Worst loss: Was crushed 38-0 by Carolina in Week 3. The Panthers were winless at the time. Last five: 4-1Common opponents: Lost 36-31 at Dallas on Sept. 8; lost 27-21 at Chicago on Oct. 10; won 23-7 against Minnesota on Oct. 21; won 27-13 against Green Bay on Nov. 17; lost 24-21 against Dallas on Nov. 24; won 24-17 at Washington on Dec. 1. Record: 3-3. (Detroit was 6-1.)Stat that matters: New York's season-opening six-game losing streak doesn't look so bad in retrospect, after those teams have gone on to combine for a 48-24 record. Four of the six would be in the playoffs if the season ended today.The skinny: New York is among the most improved teams in football, winning five of their last six games after beginning the season with a six-game losing skid. If the Giants remain on the outskirts of the NFC East chase, they could have a whole lot to play for when they visit Ford Field for Detroit's final home game of the season. QB Eli Manning has been much better recently, throwing just three picks in the last six games, after throwing 15 in the first six. And, once again, any team with a capable quarterback has a shot at sticking with Detroit.

at Minnesota Vikings Dec. 29Record: 3-8-1Best win: Beat Chicago 23-20 in overtime Sunday, their only win against a non-losing team all year.Worst loss: There are a few candidates, but getting crushed 35-10 by Carolina in Week 6 was brutal. Minnesota was 1-3 at the time, but coming off its first victory, and might have salvaged the season with a better showing. Instead it lost its next four games.Last five: 2-2-1 Common opponents: Lost 31-10 at Chicago on Sept. 15; lost 31-27 against Cleveland on Sept. 22; won 34-27 against Pittsburgh on Sept. 29; lost 44-31 against Green Bay on Oct. 27; lost 27-23 at Dallas on Nov. 3; won 34-27 against Washington on Nov. 7; tied 26-26 at Green Bay on Nov. 24; won 23-20 against Chicago on Dec. 1. Record: 3-4-1. (Detroit was 6-2.)Head-to-head: Lost 34-24 against Detroit in Week 1, and it wasn't even really that close.Stat that matters: Minnesota is 30th against the pass this year, aided in part by not getting to the QB (26th in sacks per pass attempt). Detroit, meantime, is third in passing and first in protecting the QB (sacks on just 3 percent of pass plays).The skinny: Adrian Peterson continues to be an athletic marvel. He has league-bests with 1,208 rushing yards -- 120 more than anyone else -- and 10 touchdowns on the ground. He maintains an average of 4.6 yards per carry, seventh among tailbacks even though his workload (261 carries) is considerably more than anyone. And yet, Minnesota has won only three games this year. Uncertain quarterback play -- the signing of Josh Freeman, the ups-and-downs of the now-concussed Christian Ponder -- has stunted the offense's efforts, while the defense is getting chewed up through the air. The Vikings won't be playing for a thing when they host Detroit in the season finale, other than maybe draft positioning.